BLOODBOUND
BLOODBOUND “Tales From The North”
By Iron Sheik
Hailing from Sweden, BLOODBOUND are defenders of the power metal genre. They do it with a tried and true sound mixed with a host of fresh influences: Bagpipes, Celtic passages, classical touches, and folk leanings. None of the styles are anything new, but BLOODBOUND brings them together to great effect on “Tales Of The North”.
This is their ninth album in nineteen years. It is a concept Viking story. Incorporating bagpipes in some of the songs is one of those fresher influences that doesn't sound out of place as well as Celtic passages being used. They all blend well in an epic sound. In the BLIND GUARDIAN and HELLOWEEN vein of power metal is where BLOODBOUND are rooted.
Opening with “Tales From The North” BLOODBOUND put me in mind of country music. After further listens I have laughed at myself for that first thought. Still quite an acoustic intro,though.
“Drink with the Gods” has an Irish Jig opening. “The Raven's Cry” flies by at a speed akin to light. In “Sail Among the Dead” they sing "let my eagles be your guide to heaven" which put me in mind of “Eagle Fly Free” by HELLOWEEN. In “Sword And Axe”, they proclaim they're “the wild and the free”. Ending the album is a song titled “1066” which tells a story of 300 ships and the soldiers fate. "We owned the North, let the dragon steer our ships, we deny the crucifix, at the battle in ten six six." I am not sure what they are singing about, and if it is anything true to history. Either way it makes for a great song. (It’s about the last Viking invasion of England by Harold Hardrada.--Historian Mality)
HELLOWEEN with either Andi Deris or Michael Kiske comes to mind listening to the album. “Keepers I & II” era is where it took me. I enjoyed the Viking story telling of the album. Intelligent and well written lyrics, Celtic passages that rock, bagpipes that fit in, and excellent musicianship make “Tales From The North” an interesting and great listen.